Bites on the face: Everything You Need to Know About Mite and Flea Bites
Everything You Need to Know About Mite and Flea Bites
What Bit Me? Spot These 12 Bug Bites
What Are Mites, and Do They Bother Humans?
Mites are arthropods, not insects, and are close cousins with spiders and ticks. (1) Most types of mites feed on other insects or on dead plant and animal material. (Dust mites, for example, feed mostly on dead skin cells.)
But there are a few types that bite or affect people: (2,3)
- Chiggers
- Scabies
- Rat mites
- Bird mites
- Northern fowl mites
Despite what you may have heard or read online, home mite infestations are fairly rare and tend to be much less of an issue than people assume, says Mike Merchant, PhD, a former professor of entomology at Texas A&M University in Dallas. “A lot of the mite stuff on the internet makes it sound like [a mite infestation is] the end of the world, but it’s not,” he says.
Can Mites Be Harmful to Your Health?
Mite bites can cause skin lumps and rashes and, occasionally, more serious reactions, Dr.
Merchant says.
Among outdoor mites, the only type that frequently bites people is the chigger. The word “chigger” applies to a particular species of mite that bites during its larval stage of development, and their bite produces an intensely itchy red welt, Merchant explains. “There are not too many other mite problems outdoors,” he adds.
RELATED: Everything You Need to Know About Chigger Bites
When it comes to indoor mites that bite or cause health issues, Merchant says most spring from animal nests. “Some mites will infest the nests of birds and rats and mice, and when they become abundant, they’ll leave that site and sometimes wander into the house and bite people,” he explains. In most cases, the bites of these mites cause an itchy skin rash, which may feature small lumps or pimples.
“The skin might be very itchy or red for a few days, but then that will taper off,” Merchant says of mite bites. Ice and anti-itch creams like hydrocortisone can help control the swelling and itching.
But those symptoms should resolve within a week, he says. (Nearly all species of biting house mites cannot live on human beings, and so they don’t “infest people,” he adds.)
There is one outlier: scabies. These mites infest a person’s skin in order to lay eggs and feed, and are usually only passed by direct person-to-person contact. (4) Like other mites, scabies tend to cause an itchy, pimply red rash. But unlike other mites, those rashes will continue to appear unless the person gets medical treatment, usually a prescription-only skin cream or lotion designed to kill scabies.
Dust mites can cause allergies in some people, but these tend to be of the mild, seasonal allergy variety — stuff like a runny nose, sneezing, and itchy eyes. (5) Over-the-counter and prescription allergy meds can help quell dust mite allergies.
RELATED: Everything You Need to Know About Allergies
How to Get Rid of Mites in Your Household
You don’t need a crazy whole-house treatment or fumigation.
You just need to remove the animals and animal nests that are bringing mites into your home, Merchant says. “Everybody always wants a spray to solve these types of mite problems, but the real solution is getting rid of any animals nesting in your home, and animal-proofing your home,” he says. Basically, call in a home pest pro.
The exception here, again, is the scabies mite; in addition to getting medical treatment, you can take steps to eliminate the mites from your household. Scabies mites don’t survive very long when they’re not on human skin. Vacuum your home the day you start treatment and decontaminate your bedding, clothing, and towels by washing these items in hot water and drying on high heat. You can also dry-clean or seal these articles in a plastic bag for at least 72 hours.
When it comes to dust mites, on the other hand, it’s almost impossible to get rid of them all. But frequent home cleaning and dusting, installing HEPA air filters, and buying bedding that can be washed in hot water and that resists dust accumulation can limit allergic reactions.
What Are Fleas, and What Do Flea Bites Look Like?
Fleas are blood-sucking insects that live on mammals — often dogs, cats, or other furry pets. (6) Fleas are brown and wingless. And while they’re small, usually around an eighth of an inch, they’re big enough to see or even feel with your hand, Merchant says.
While they prefer animals to humans, fleas can migrate off pets and onto their owner’s skin. “Usually flea bites are on the lower legs because the fleas get into the carpet and then jump up as we’re walking past,” Merchant explains.
What does a flea bite look like? Like many other types of insect bites, flea bites produce small red bumps that may be itchy and that tend to appear in groups of three or more. Again, ice and hydrocortisone can help relieve symptoms, which tend to be short-lived — a week or less.
More Serious Health Complications Can Arise if You Have Mites or Fleas
Like all biting or stinging insects, mites and fleas can occasionally cause serious allergic reactions, including problems breathing or a swollen limb or throat.
Those symptoms warrant a trip to the emergency room.
Also, anything that causes itchy skin or open sores can allow in bacteria, which could lead to a secondary infection. (7) If you notice swelling, pain, or a mite or flea bite that seems to be getting worse after a day or two, or if you have a fever or other flu-like symptoms, talk to a doctor. Those could all be signs of a bacterial infection.
Finally, both fleas and mites can transmit some potentially serious diseases to humans — namely types of typhus and spotted fever — though these transmissions are very rare. Symptoms include headaches, fever, rashes, and delirium. (8)
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Tips for How to Avoid Getting Mosquito Bites in the First Place
To minimize your bite risk, try to stay indoors at dawn and dusk — times when humidity often peaks. “The higher the humidity, the better for mosquitoes, so dawn and dusk are times when they tend to be active,” Day says.
He explains that mosquitoes are fragile insects, and their bodies dry out quickly if they’re exposed to arid conditions or extended stretches of bright sunlight (which is another reason they prefer hunting at dawn and dusk, as opposed to midday). They’re also weak fliers, he says, so any kind of breeze or fan-generated wind tends to keep them at bay. If you can find a place that’s exposed to wind, or you have a strong fan handy, both can prevent mosquitoes from biting you.
Long pants and shirtsleeves — especially tightly woven synthetic fabrics such as the types used in so-called athleisure garments — tend to keep mosquitoes off your skin. Repellents also work well, Day says. The CDC suggests looking for products that contain DEET, picaridin, IR3535, and oil of lemon eucalyptus, or p-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD). (6) Apply these products to your ankles, wrists, forehead, elbows, and all the other knobby, bony places where the blood is up near the surface of the skin. Mosquitoes love to feast at these sites.
Also good to keep in mind: Mosquitoes are attracted to both the carbon dioxide humans exhale and the natural odors our bodies produce — stuff like sweat and foot odor. If you’ve been exercising, you’re likely to be both sweaty and producing higher amounts of carbon dioxide. Better to cool off and shower up indoors before heading outside. (7)
Follow all these precautions, and you can largely dodge mosquito bites all summer long.
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How to take care of the skin in case of a mosquito bite and what health risks are important to know? Says a dermatologist.
Margarita Gekht, Leading Dermatologist, Butterfly Children Charitable Foundation, Lecturer at the Skill for Skin Online Academy of Skin Problems
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- How to identify a mosquito bite
- Why does it itch
- What to do after being bitten
- How to relieve itching
- Possible complications
- Repellents
- Medical treatment
What does a mosquito bite look like?
Female mosquitoes have a long proboscis with which they pierce the skin, inject saliva through it and suck in blood.
The human body reacts to saliva with blistering and itching.
Some people react to the sting lightly, others more severely, and may experience large swelling and painful redness at the site of the sting.
General symptoms of a mosquito bite:
- blister that appears on the skin a few minutes after the bite;
- edema;
- redness of the skin;
- itching.
If the bite is in an area close to the capillary network, dark spots that look like bruises may appear in its place.
Sometimes under certain circumstances, more often due to the peculiarities of the immune system, in addition to the general symptoms, more severe reactions can develop, which lead to the following symptoms. They can be isolated or included in the structure of Skeeter’s syndrome:
- large area of swelling and redness;
- subfebrile or febrile fever;
- swollen lymph nodes.
Skeeter syndrome refers to a severe allergic reaction to mosquito bites.
It is based on an allergic reaction to proteins contained in mosquito saliva. Most people have little reaction to mosquito bites, but people with skeeter syndrome are very sensitive to them and may develop a fever. In Skeeter’s syndrome, the blisters at the site of the bites tend to swell to a very large diameter, leading to swelling of the skin along with the fever. Usually the reaction builds up within a few hours.
Why itching develops after a mosquito bite
The causes of itching in mosquito bites are not well understood, but scientists have put forward hypotheses about three mechanisms. They are based on the assumption that the itch that occurs after a bite is associated with the components of the saliva of the insect.
According to the first hypothesis, mosquito saliva components cause an allergic reaction when they enter the skin. This is because one of the main components of mosquito saliva is the biologically active substance histamine, which is responsible for allergic reactions, including swelling, itching and redness.
As a result, the classic picture of itching develops.
The second hypothesis is based on an IgE-dependent hypersensitivity reaction to salivary gland components. This means that certain people have special receptors on their own antibodies that are turned on during the introduction of the allergen (mosquito saliva). These proteins are called IgE. They are the first to bind to mosquito saliva proteins, transmit an impulse to mast cells of the skin, which in turn release histamine, resulting in itching.
Proponents of the third hypothesis believe that salivary gland components modulate the inflammatory response independently of IgE proteins.
© Shutterstock
How to get rid of mosquito bites
The first step is to apply mosquito repellent to any potentially exposed skin area. This measure ensures that there are no more bites. The alternative is to install a physical barrier for the mosquitoes, such as a mosquito net, or return indoors.
After applying protection, the bite area can be treated with ice or cream/gel with an antihistamine component.
Itching will likely continue, but every effort should be made to avoid scratching the bite as this will cause further irritation.
Finally, look for any potential symptoms of illness such as fever, joint pain, or headache. This is to make sure you don’t get an infection.
Folk remedies for mosquito bites
- Soda. Mix a tablespoon of baking soda with enough water to make a paste. Apply it on a mosquito bite, wait ten minutes and wash off.
- Oatmeal. Grind oatmeal to a floury consistency. When mixed with water, a colloidal suspension will be obtained – it is this part of the oatmeal that must be added to the bath (it should also be part of creams). Fine particles of colloidal oatmeal settle on the skin, retaining moisture and relieving itching.
- Basil. This fragrant herb has a dual function. First, it repels mosquitoes. Therefore, it can be planted on the windowsill. Secondly, according to some studies, basil soothes the itching from a bite.
Crush a few leaves and rub gently into the skin. - Aloe Vera. The sticky, clear gel found inside the aloe vera plant is used to treat many ailments. It has also been proven to be an effective remedy for itching.
- Chamomile. This herb is used to relieve anxiety and insomnia. It is believed that applying a decoction of chamomile to the skin can soothe rashes and irritations. However, there is no exact data on the effectiveness of chamomile. Also, if you are allergic to ragweed, you may also have a reaction to chamomile. Be careful – in the composition of creams, chamomile is called “azulene”.
- Menthol. Menthol products cool the skin, which may temporarily relieve itching.
Crush a few leaves and rub gently into the skin.© Shutterstock
Complications of mosquito bites
- Impetigo. Local bacterial infection. May be caused by scratches at the site of the bite. More common with itchy bites.
- Cellulite . In this case, the bacterial infection spreads to the skin. It looks edematous, becomes hot and painful to the touch and looks like an orange peel.
- Lymphangitis. This bacterial infection spreads through the lymphatic channels. Visually looks like a red line going up the arm or leg. This case is more serious because the infection can enter the bloodstream and cause blood poisoning (sepsis).
In this case, the bacterial infection spreads to the skin. It looks edematous, becomes hot and painful to the touch and looks like an orange peel.When to See a Doctor
If mosquito bites are accompanied by more than just redness and itching, but fever, headache, body aches and other signs of infection, see a doctor.
Mosquito bite prevention
- Treat clothing and equipment with permethrin repellent.
- Choose long-sleeved shirts and trousers when choosing clothes. Mosquitoes cannot bite the skin if it is covered with a dense cloth.
- Choose closed shoes.
Another way to stop mosquitoes from biting
Mosquitoes need water to lay their eggs.
Once a week, empty and wipe, turn over, cover, or discard items that contain water, such as paddling pools, bird baths, flower pots, or trash cans.
Mosquitoes are also attracted to body heat and body odors caused by sweat and lactic acid.
How the active ingredients of repellents work
DEET
N, N-diethyl meta-toluamide (DEET) is one of the most commonly used mosquito repellent chemicals. Research shows that it is one of the most effective. DEET affects insect receptors that detect carbon dioxide and body odor, causing mosquitoes to stop recognizing humans. It comes in a variety of forms, including liquids, sprays, lotions, and wristbands.
Picaridin
Picaridin is a new type of insect repellent. It works in a similar way to DEET, preventing mosquitoes from recognizing their prey, but contains fewer potentially toxic substances, making it considered a safe protection option for babies under six months of age.
Eucalyptus and Lemon Oils
Eucalyptus or Lemon Oils are a good option for those who prefer a natural, chemical-free repellant.
© Blanchi Costela / Getty Images
Medical treatment of mosquito bites
Topically:
- Apply specialized gels and emulsions containing antihistamines two to three times a day.
- For severe redness and itching, a cream or emulsion containing 1% hydrocortisone can be used once or twice a day for two to three days. If symptoms persist or worsen, a doctor should be consulted.
- Calamine and zinc oxide products can be used for children under two years of age. From the age of two, a lotion containing menthol, zinc oxide and calamine is suitable.
Oral:
- First generation antihistamines may be used in acute inflammatory reactions.
- For subacute stage and mild itching, 2nd generation antihistamines.
Both generations are available in both drop and tablet form.
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Local reaction to an insect sting
You have been stung or bitten by an insect. Insect venom or bodily fluids cause a skin reaction at the site of the bite. The bite often causes redness, itching, and swelling. This reaction may disappear within a few hours. But it may take several days.
Common stinging insects whose stings cause reactions include wasps, bees, folded wasps, fire ants, and hornets. Common bites come from spiders, mosquitoes, fleas, or ticks. Other types of insects may be more common in different parts of the country or the world.
Insect venom causes “local” toxic reactions in any person. A local reaction means that the symptoms only affect the part of the body where you were bitten. The reaction has not spread to most of your body. Allergic reactions occur only in those who are sensitive to the poison.
The severity of your reaction to an insect bite depends on the dose of the venom and how sensitive you are to it. When a rash or itchy skin appears, most people think of an allergic reaction. But bites tend to cause local symptoms that are not allergic. These symptoms may include:0003
Rash, redness, welts or blisters around the bite site
Itching, burning, stinging or pain
Swelling around the bite site, which may spread and cause discomfort
After 1-3 days, the site of the insect bite may become infected. So watch out for the following symptoms. Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish a local reaction to an insect bite from an early infection. Your healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics for you.
Home care
Medicines
Your doctor may prescribe medication to relieve swelling, itching, and pain.
Follow your doctor’s instructions when taking these medicines.
Diphenhydramine is an oral antihistamine available in stores. You may take this medicine to relieve itching and swelling. The medicine may make you drowsy. So be careful when using it during the daytime, or when you go to school, work or drive. Do not take diphenhydramine if you have glaucoma or urinary problems due to an enlarged prostate. Other antihistamines may cause less sleepiness. They are best taken during the day. Ask a pharmacist for advice.
If you have large areas of localized swelling, you may be given oral corticosteroids such as prednisone. They will help reduce swelling and discomfort.
Do not apply diphenhydramine cream to the skin. In some people, this can cause a localized skin rash due to an allergy to the cream.
Calamine lotion or oatmeal baths sometimes help with itching.
Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be used for pain unless another pain medication is prescribed. If you have chronic liver or kidney disease, talk to your doctor before taking these medicines. Also check with your doctor if you have had a stomach ulcer or gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding.
If you have had a serious reaction, your doctor may prescribe an epinephrine auto-injector. Epinephrine is a rescue medication that will stop an allergic reaction from getting worse. Before you leave the hospital, make sure you understand when and how to use this medicine.
General care
If itching is annoying, do not take hot showers or baths. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight whenever possible. Warming up the skin will increase the itching.
Apply an ice pack to reduce redness, swelling and itching.
You can make an ice pack by putting ice cubes in a top-seal bag. Wrap the bag in a thin towel. Do not apply ice directly to the skin as this may damage the skin. Apply an ice pack for 5-10 minutes.Avoid scratching affected areas to prevent skin damage or infection.
If oral antibiotics or corticosteroids have been prescribed, be sure to take them as directed until the end of treatment.
You can make an ice pack by putting ice cubes in a top-seal bag. Wrap the bag in a thin towel. Do not apply ice directly to the skin as this may damage the skin. Apply an ice pack for 5-10 minutes.Recommendations for insect bites
Be aware that honey bees nest in trees. Wasps and fold-winged wasps build nests on the ground, trees, or roof eaves.
Do not wear perfume, cologne, sandals or bright clothes when outdoors. Don’t go barefoot. Do not spank flying insects. Be careful when eating outside. Close food and drinks.
If you are stung by a bee, the sting may remain in your skin. Wasps, fold-winged wasps and hornets do not leave stingers behind. Move away from the nest immediately. The sting of a honey bee releases a substance that will attract other bees to you. As soon as you move away from the nest, remove the stinger as quickly as possible. One suggested method is to pick up the sting with a thin, blunt edge. It could be the edge of a credit card or the dull side of a thin table knife. Do not pinch the stinger with your fingers or tweezers. This releases more poison into the skin.
Ice may be applied after the bite and diphenhydramine or another antihistamine may be taken. If you experience any of the danger symptoms listed below, get help right away.
If you feel dizzy, faint, or have trouble breathing or swallowing, ask your doctor if you need epinephrine autoinjectors.
Follow-up
If your symptoms persist, call your healthcare provider after 2 days or as directed. You may be referred to an allergist for further evaluation and treatment.
Call 911
Use an epinephrine auto-injector if you have one and call 911 immediately in the following cases:
Problems with swallowing and difficulty or wheezing
New or worsening swelling in the mouth, throat, face or tongue
Hoarse voice, tightness in throat or speech problems
Confusion
Extreme sleepiness or trouble waking up
Fainting, dizziness or loss of consciousness
Rapid pulse
low blood pressure,
Feeling of approaching death
Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or diarrhea
Vomiting blood or large amounts of blood in the stool
Convulsions
When to seek medical help
Call a doctor immediately or seek medical attention in the following cases:
Spreading itching, redness or swelling
New or worse swelling of the face, eyelids or lips
weakness or dizziness,
Also call your doctor immediately if you have signs of infection:
Increasing pain, redness or swelling
Temperature 38°C (100.
4°F) or higher, or as directed by a physicianDischarge of fluid or pus from the area of the bite
4°F) or higher, or as directed by a physician© 2000-2022 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional’s instructions.
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